Cell separation chip and system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for cell separation. The system includes: a cartridge having a polygonal shape in cross section and including an injection part, a separation chip separating a flow channel of a sample injected through the injection part, and a discharge part; and a base plate coupled to the cartridge through its upper surface and including a magnetic chip for cancer cell capture, liquid sensors, and valves. The method includes: coupling a cut plane of one side of the cell separation cartridge to one side of the base plate; engaging a recess formed at the other end of the cell separation cartridge with a pin formed at the other end of the base plate; fixing holes of the separation chip of the cell separation cartridge and holes of the magnetic chip of the base plate using a fixing member to match the holes of the separation chip of the cell separation cartridge and the holes of the magnetic chip of the base plate; and determining whether a pattern of the separation chip of the cell separation cartridge matches a pattern of the magnetic chip of the base plate.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A cell separation system comprising: a cartridge having a polygonal shape in cross section and comprising an injection part, a separation chip separating a flow channel of a sample injected through the injection part, and a discharge part; a base plate coupled to the cartridge through its upper surface and comprising a magnetic chip for cancer cell capture, liquid sensors, and valves, wherein the separation chip comprises a second member coupled to a top plate of the cartridge through a tape applied to the upper surface thereof and a first member located under the second member and coupled to the lower surface of the second member through a tape applied to the lower surface of the second member; portions of the second member are cut-off to form channels in the second member; the holes are formed so as to penetrate through the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate and to be in communication with the channels; and the pipes are inserted into the first portions of the holes at acute angles to the upper surface of the top plate. 
     
     
       2. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the top plate comprises holes into which pipes are insertable, each hole comprising a first portion having a larger diameter and a second portion having a smaller diameter. 
     
     
       3. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic chip comprises a wire pattern that is parabolic from one side to the other side thereof. 
     
     
       4. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the top plate is made of a plastic. 
     
     
       5. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels comprise a first channel and a second channel in communication with the first channel and branched into a plurality of sub-channels, each of which comprises a first portion and a second-portion in communication with the first portion, the first portion being widened toward the second portion and the second portion being tapered toward a third channel in communication with the second channel. 
     
     
       6. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels comprise a first channel and a second channel in communication with the first channel, branched into a plurality of sub-channels, and having an arc shape. 
     
     
       7. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels comprise a first channel and a second channel in communication with the first channel and branched into a plurality of sub-channels, a plurality of protrusions being formed on the first channel or the second channel. 
     
     
       8. The cell separation system according to  claim 7 , wherein the protrusions comprise first protrusions and second protrusions underlying or adjacent to the first protrusions. 
     
     
       9. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein filters are located on the channels. 
     
     
       10. The cell separation system according to  claim 9 , wherein the filters are in communication with the channels and have predetermined spaces. 
     
     
       11. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels of the discharge part of the cartridge are in contact with the liquid sensors and the valves when the cartridge is coupled to the base plate. 
     
     
       12. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cell separation cartridge has a plane cut at a specific angle at one side thereof, the edge of the cut plane is higher than the lower surface of the cartridge, and the cartridge has a recess engaged with a pin at the other side thereof. 
     
     
       13. The cell separation system according to  claim 12 , wherein the base plate has a plane formed at one side thereof to press the edge of the cut plane of the cartridge while in contact with the edge of the cut plane of the cartridge and connected from a position higher than the edge of the cut plane of the cartridge to a position lower than the edge, and includes a pin member provided at the other side thereof and engaged with the recess of the cartridge. 
     
     
       14. The cell separation system according to  claim 13 , wherein the pin member has the ability to always return to the central position and comprises a protrusion horizontally rotatable at full 360°. 
     
     
       15. The cell separation system according to  claim 12 , wherein both end edges of the coupling plane of the cartridge at one side where the cartridge is coupled to the base plate are cut at a predetermined angle, and both end edges of the coupling plane of the base plate facing the coupling plane of the cartridge are cut at the same angle such that both end edges of the coupling plane of the cartridge match and are coupled to the both end edges of the coupling plane of the base plate. 
     
     
       16. The cell separation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the separation chip of the cartridge has a polygonal shape in cross section and is patterned at a predetermined position, and comprises holes matching the magnetic chip of the base plate at one or more edges thereof. 
     
     
       17. The cell separation system according to  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic chip of the base plate has a polygonal shape in cross section, is patterned at a predetermined position, and comprises holes matching the separation chip of the cartridge at one or more edges thereof; and the distances between the magnetic chip of the base plate and the holes and the pattern formed in the magnetic chip are the same as those between the separation chip of the cartridge and the holes and the pattern formed in the separation chip. 
     
     
       18. The cell separation system according to  claim 17 , wherein the holes of the magnetic chip are the same as the holes of the separation chip in shape and number, or the pattern of the magnetic chip is matched with the pattern of the separation chip. 
     
     
       19. A method for cell separation comprising: coupling a cut plane of one side of a cell separation cartridge to one side of a base plate; engaging a recess formed at the other end of the cell separation cartridge with a pin formed at the other end of the base plate; and confirming whether holes of a separation chip of the cartridge match holes of a magnetic chip of the base plate.